Micro-Philanthropy: Talking to your children about social change

Daniel Segal spoke at the Calgary Jewish Community Centre last week about micro-philanthropy and how to talk to your children about social impact.  His presentation, while jumping all over the map, had one key message - DUH!  Seriously, DUH, was the message.  He has worked with children and teens for the majority of his career and it is this age-group that is quick to identify opportunities, and it is the older generation that is quick to say, but will it really make a difference...

When interviewing parents, he asked them what do they want their children to accomplish.  They answered the following - be good citizens, be happy, be successful, be respected.  What did the kids say they thought their parents wanted them to achieve?  GET GOOD GRADES.  As a society we are missing something when our message is not getting translated down.  What is one way to clarify the message - let our actions lead.  If we start to model behaviours, such as citizenship and respect, our children will understand what we want from them. 

Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com.

What does this have to do with micro-philanthropy?

Definition - "... is a model of philanthropy that is based on smaller, more direct interaction between "helpers" and "doers." Because of this finer level of granularity, it provides greater potential for feedback. It uses the definition of philanthropy as "love of humanity", which is broader than just charity or donating money. This opens up a broader range of activities such as volunteering, emergency response activities, mentoring, and many other patterns of uplift." (Wikipedia)

Going into a nursing home once a week with our children and visiting the elderly is a form of micro-philanthropy.  Taking an afternoon to go to the animal shelter to walk the dogs is a form of micro-philanthropy.  Taking your own pet into a nursing home and seeing how the residents respond is micro-philanthropy.  It is the little acts, that are direct between the doer and the recipient that can teach our children that we expect more from them than just getting good grades.

On Canada Day 2007 I wrote a posting on another blog about what we have in common as Canadians.  Pursuit of happiness was the topic.  As we look at what it means to be happy, actions around micro-philanthropy can help us achieve that emotion.  The look that spreads across the face of a person who is bed-ridden due to illness when the Art a la Carte volunteers enter their room with a new painting and time to visit, is so uplifting.  This was one woman's initiative to do something for those who were suffering due to cancer.  It is based on research showing that people heal faster when they are surrounded by things that MAKE THEM HAPPY.  What more can one say, if we can share happiness is this not a way to teach happiness?  If we can teach happiness will we not, as parents, have accomplished the task of modeling behaviour.

The beauty about this type of philanthropy is that ANYONE of ANY AGE can do it.  If you need ideas, drop me a line.  If you have ideas, drop me a line.  If you are in need of people to help you achieve your mission and purpose, drop me a line.

These little steps can make huge differences in our communities.